THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOWLERS

Tenby Bowling Club, with the co-operation of the teachers of Tenby's Junior Community School, have recently completed the introduction of seventy-two 10-year-olds to the ancient sport of lawn or flat green bowling. Our qualified Welsh bowling coaches enjoyed every moment and were amazed how quickly these youngsters soon learnt the simple rudiments of the game.

All of the children who had attended these 'taster sessions' over a four-week period were presented with their certificates by Ben Owens, president of the Pembroke County Bowling Association. Ben, who is a member of the Tenby club, feels, as do the management committee, that the youth of our area is the future of bowling and of our club.

It has been the club's policy for many years now, that we give three free coaching lessons to all newcomers and we hope that many of these children will take advantage of these two-hour coaching lessons every Sunday morning.

All of the bowls and bowling equipment is supplied free of charge. All new bowlers require is a pair of smooth-soled, heelless shoes (dabs or canvass deck shoes are ideal).

The Tenby club is particularly grateful for the financial support from the Pembrokeshire Community Chest, which enabled us to purchase sufficient small sets of bowls, which the youngsters can handle.

Pauline Barnikel, chairman of the Tenby club, acknowledges the very important role of our area bowling coach co-ordinator, David Jones, who is responsible for literally hundreds of West Wales children over the last two years getting an insight of our sport.

If sufficient numbers of children join our club, there will be special competitions and inter-club matches arranged for them to develop their skills.

COUNTY FINALS

Last Saturday saw the final act of the county competitions 2002, when the Under 18s and Under 25s singles were played off on the Tenby green.

Two talented young bowlers got to the final of both cups. Marc Jones, of the Whitland club, aged 16, did remarkedly well to reach the final in both cups, as did young Gareth Hughes, aged 18, of the Saundersfoot club.

In contrast to the finals played on the previous weekend, both finals were played in almost total silence and the only witnesses were close family and their own club members. Nevertheless, they both played well and enjoyed the tussle, probably oblivious to all outside influences.

Gareth Hughes proved just too good for young Marc, running out victor in both cups.

Under 18s Cup: M. Jones 10 G. Hughes 21; Under 25s Cup: G. Hughes 21 M. Jones 16.

Colin Wynn, senior vice-president of Pembroke County Bowling Association, when presenting the cups, congratulated both on a fine performance and acknowledged that they were the future of bowling.

Both Colin and Morlais Powell, competition secretary, were very appreciative of the Tenby bowling surface and facilities.

OPEN WEEK

Commencing on Sunday morning, Tenby's 78th Open tournament begins. There is the usual array of very talented bowlers from all parts of Wales and beyond.

David Kingdon, current holder of the Gold Cup, is attempting to win it for the third time on the trot. Silver Bowl holder, Patrick Currie, is looking for a repeat performance.

David King Thomas is hoping for very high pressure, weatherwise, and very low pressure on the organising front. Early morning and late evening markers are expected to emerge in large numbers from our membership, no doubt!

The usual Open Week social apres-bowls entertainment is well organised and open to all members, bowling and social.

TENBY FIVE ARCHES

The Stena sponsored Five Arches travelled to Pembroke Dock last Tuesday to take on the home side in the first round of the R. F. Diment Cup. Although leading for a large part of the match, the Arches were blitzed in the last five ends and lost by 29 shots (63-92).

The rink of Dave King-Thomas had the only success, hanging on to beat Brian Kenwyn's four by one shot.

The captain's rink, after having a commanding lead, dropped a six on the 20th end to lose by four.

Keith Hubbard's combination lost out to Dave Burns by eight and Mike Crockford's rink were never in contention and lost by 18 shots.

This Saturday it is back to league action, the Five Arches taking on Haverfordwest at home with a 2.30 pm start.

Rink scores (Five Arches first, Pembroke Dock skips only):

R. Hughes, C. Guymer, A. Grimbaldeston, M. Crockford 12; H. Hanger 30.

M. Donoghue, J. Taylor, D. Silcox, K. Hubbard 13; D. Burns 21.

B. Russell, T. Powling, G. Beynon, R. Powling 20; J. Williams 24.

B. Barnikel, J. Tyler, G. Hill, D. King Thomas 18; B. Kenwyn 17.

GOSCAR 87

ST. THOMAS 81

On Tuesday, on a very fast green and the sun shining, it was a tonic to the Goscar lads, bringing out the best in them for a very fine win. Well done.

Rink scores (Goscar first, St. Thomas skips only):

A. Vincent, S. Diment, A. Rootes, J. Hubbard 25; L. Frayling 15.

J. Richards, G. Stubbs, J. Webb, E. Dorling 26; V. N. Brown 21.

T. Brutnell, D. Watkins, R. Wilkins, A. Ormond 18; R. Harries 24.

R. Hine, H. Meads, R. Thake, B. Bailey 18; B. George 21.

GOSCAR 85

PEMBROKE DOCK B 77

Wednesday, sunshine and still a fast green, again brought the best out of Goscar and another great win. Let's hope the sun keeps shining!

Rink scores (Goscar first, Pembroke Dock skips only).

T. Brutnell, D. Watkins, R. Wilkins, A. Ormond 25; S. Davies 16.

G. Hewitt, J. Richards, G. Stubbs, E. Dorling 22; M. Young 24.

A. Vincent, S. Diment, A. Rootes, J. Hubbard 19; S. James 20.

R. Hine, H. Meads, R. Thake, B. Bailey 19; C. Hughes 17.

MILFORD HAVEN 30.5

FIVE ARCHES LADIES 42

The Five Arches ladies, sponsored by Stena Line, bagged another maximum six points when they travelled to Milford Haven on Monday afternoon.

Chris Morgan led her rink to a comfortable 10-shot victory over Margaret Carter, while Vera Williams's opposition had to lose a proportion of their score when they only fielded three players, resulting in the Arches winning 18-16.5.

Rink scores (Arches first, Milford skips only) were:

P. Stubbs, A. Owens, H. Baggott, C. Morgan 24; M. Carter 14.

M. Cooke, A. Redman, R. Silcox, V. Williams 18; J. Navas 16.2.

WHIST

Whist winners July 18: Top scorer - Joan Tester; 1st lady - Mable Whittaker; 2nd lady - Gladys Irvine; 1st gent - Bert Barnikel; 2nd gent - Vera Burrows; 1st half winner - Eric Sutcliffe; 2nd half - Elsie Breadnam; longest sitter - Robert Irvine; raffle winners - Vera Burrows and Robert Irvine.

A generous gesture by Derek Jennings has started the prize fund for our Christmas whist and with it goes Derek's thanks for the many happy hours his father Harry spent in our company over recent years.

Whist is played every Thursday evening at the Tenby bowling club function room, 7.30 pm sharp. New members are always welcome.